After hearing public comment and recommendations from its Reef Fish Advisory Panel, the Gulf Council took final action on a Framework Action to increase the lane snapper minimum size limit. The Council chose to modify the commercial and recreational minimum size limit for lane snapper 10 inches total length.

In recent years, lane snapper landings have regularly exceeded annual catch limits and commercial and recreational lane snapper fishing seasons have closed early. This has occurred despite two recent increases to allowable harvest. The Council decided to increase the lane snapper size limit to constrain landings to the annual catch limit and reduce likelihood of in-season closures.

This Framework Action will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for consideration and implementation as soon as practicable.

About The Gulf Council

The Gulf Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of America.